The Best Yorkshire Dales Walks
Rolling countryside, sweeping views, and amazing natural formations make the Dales a walker’s paradise with over 2,179 km to explore.
1) Bolton Abbey Village to the Cavendish Pavilion
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the riverside path, with meadow views and chances to spot herons, dippers and kingfishers. The Cavendish Pavilion, which is halfway round this popular circular route, is also the perfect pit-stop for a refreshing drink and piece of homemade cake.
Start and Finish – Bolton Abbey Village Car Park
Difficulty: Moderate
Length – 1 hour (approx.) Circular.
2) Malham Cove, Gordale Scar & Janet’s Foss
Malham Cove walks in the Yorkshire Dales remain a firm favourite, theatrical gorges and beautiful wooded paths will delight the whole family. This moderate walk starts in the village of Malham and follows Malham Beck and Gordale Beck before passing through a wooded area to Janet’s Foss waterfall and then arriving at the limestone ravine, Gordale Scar.
The footpath then leads onto Malham Cove; where you can enjoy its amphitheatre-shaped splendour from the base or, for the energetic, you can climb the 400 irregular stone steps to the limestone pavement at the top. As well as the unusual formations to discover, the views down towards Malham and beyond are pretty special too. The signposted route then swings you back around to the village along the Pennine Way (keep an eye out for circling Peregrine Falcons overhead). Once back in Malham, The Lister Arms is a lovely spot for a post-walk pit stop.
Start and Finish: Malham Village
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3 hours. Circular
3) Cavendish Pavilion to Barden Bridge
If you are visiting with young ones, this pushchair-friendly trail takes you through a woodland beside the River Wharfe – perfect for nature spotting.
Start from the Bolton Abbey riverside carpark, picking up some light refreshments as you pass the Cavendish Pavilion towards Strid Wood. The riverside pathway leads onto Barden Bridge, which is a great place to stop for a breather or a picnic and enjoy the view down the river.
After the bridge, the circular route will lead you back to the Pavilion, where you can spend some time exploring Bolton Abbey before heading home. The Devonshire Arms Hotel is a short drive away and is the perfect place to end a day of exploring in the Yorkshire Dales. You can rest your weary feet and unwind in the Devonshire Spa, before enjoying a delicious meal at one of our restaurants.
Start and Finish: Riverside Car Park, Bolton Abbey
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2 hours 20 minutes (approx.). Circular.
4) Aysgarth Falls
This varied walk around Aysgarth Falls features rolling pastures, impressive waterfalls and castle views. The triple flight waterfall of Aysgarth Falls includes Low Force, Middle Force and finally, High Force, which is most impressive after heavy rain, where thousands of gallons of water cascade over the series of limestone steps.
The walk takes in a woodland reserve and rolling farmland, with lovely views of Bolton Castle, too. We recommend starting from the Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre and following the signposted route.
Start and Finish: Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1-2 hours. Circular.
5) The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
Considered one of the hardest walking challenges in Yorkshire, The Three Peaks sees walkers scale the county’s highest mountains Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough over 25 miles.
The ascension of the first peak, Pen-Y-Ghent, begins in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, following the clearly marked paths (or the crowds).
Once you’ve reached the top, the pathway leads you across the Dales, past landmarks such as Hull Pot and the Ribblehead Viaduct and on towards Ingleborough. The second highest of the peaks, from Ingleborough you’ll have fantastic scenery of limestone crags. Then it’s onto Whernside which is not only the highest of the peaks but also the highest point in Yorkshire. The ascent is tough, but on a clear day, there are fabulous views out across to Howgills, the Lake District and Morecambe Bay.
Although an incredible challenge, with equal amounts of descending as climbing, the walk offers spectacular scenery for avid walkers. It is also a great place to spend a few days and soak up the scenery, so why not book a stay at The Fell in Burnsall. This perfect hideaway overlooks the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and blends countryside charm with contemporary comfort. Enjoy a well-deserved meal in The Fell Restaurant, before retiring to one of the 16 individually furnished rooms for a peaceful night’s rest.
Start and Finish: Horton-in-Ribblesdale (or at Chapel le Dale to do the route in reverse)
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 12 hours. 24-miles (38.6km) round trip route, and includes 1585m (5200ft) of ascent.
6) Beamsley Beacon Circular
The Beamsley Beacon Circular is perfect for flora and fauna spotting and is especially colourful if you visit during the summer months.
Start this walk from the village of Beamsley on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. After an initial steep climb to Beamsley Beacon, take in the views of vast pastures during a well-earned rest.
The descent and route back take in Kex Beck and Beamsley Moor, and the unique architecture of Beamsley Hospital. Originally built in 1593 for the poorest women in the area to live a devout life, the building has seven rooms radiating from a central Puritan Chapel and its unusual shape makes it a worthwhile pit stop.
Start and Finish: Beamsley
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3-4 hours. Circular.
7) The Valley of Desolation Walk
After a violent storm in 1826 tore down trees and caused a landslide, the tranquil valley of desolation stands in its place and is now home to lush fauna and waterfalls.
You’ll start at the historic ruins of Bolton Abbey before heading off to the highest point of 485m at Simon’s Seat – on a clear day the views are incredible. On the way, you’ll cross paths with Posforth Gill—one of the most magical Yorkshire Dales waterfalls—a wonderful place to enjoy the natural sound of the cascade hitting the lower pool. The downhill section takes in Parcevall Hall, Troller’s Gill and the village of Appletreewick, before weaving your way through the majestic Strid Wood.
Start and Finish: Cavendish Pavilion, Bolton Abbey
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 7 hours
8) Whernside from Ribblehead Viaduct
A challenging yet rewarding walk that takes on one of the summits from the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
The starting point for the walk is a rather unglamorous road layby on the B6255. However, once you leave the roadside behind, it’s not long before you’ll hit the 24-arch Ribblehead viaduct. A Grade II listed structure, its imposing grandeur alongside the sweeping views of the moors is a remarkable sight. From there, it’s onwards to Hare Gill and Little Dale Beck via the footbridge, before starting the climb up to the Whernside summit. The views from the top are glorious and you’ll almost feel like you are on top of the world. The route back to the carpark will take you through various countryside farms and winding foot trails.
Start and Finish: Near Ribblehead Viaduct
Difficulty: Hard
Length: 3hr 40 minutes. Circular.